uAvionix microLinK Owner's manual

UAV-1003064-001 Rev N Page 1 | 40

microLink

User and Installation

Guide

UAV-1003064-001 Rev N Page 2 | 40

uAvionix Corporation

300 Pine Needle Lane

Bigfork, MT 59911

http://www.uavionix.com

support@uavionix.com

Except as expressly provided herein, no part of this guide may be

reproduced, transmitted, disseminated, downloaded or stored in any

storage medium, for any purpose without the express written permission of

uAvionix. uAvionix grants permissions to download a single copy of this

guide onto an electronic storage medium to be viewed for personal use,

provided that the complete text of this copyright notice is retained.

Unauthorized commercial distribution of this manual or any revision hereto

is strictly prohibited.

uAvionix® and Ping® are registered trademarks of uAvionix Corporation,

and may not be used without express permission of uAvionix.

UAV-1003064-001 Rev N Page 3 | 40

1 Revision History

Revision

Date

Comments

A

6/23/2019

Initial release

B

07/17/2019

Modified the FCC and added the IC regulatory

statement

C

08/09/2019

Updated the skyStation statistics definitions and

modified for uav files updating

D

08/12/2019

Updated the FCC and IC statements per the

TCB

E

08/28/2019

Updated the RF exposure limits per the TCB

F

12/18/2019

Added Updating instructions for skyStation and

microLink radios

G

7/21/2020

Updated configuration item descriptions.

Updated firmware upgrade instructions.

H

10/27/2020

Add Transmit and Receive Masking

configuration instructions.

I

1/25/2021

Quick Start and Here2 appendices moved to

separate documents. Updated screen captures.

Added remote configuration instructions.

J

5/15/2021

Corrected USER connector pin-out table.

Updated skyLinkApp and web page screenshots.

K

07/12/2021

Updated images for skyStation 2.

M

9/7/2021

New integration image with Pixhawk and

ardupilot parameters. All updated instructions

and images for using radio ID link.

N

9/20/2021

Update integration instructions for Pixhawk with

new GPS connection and dual GPS connection.

UAV-1003064-001 Rev N Page 4 | 40

2 Limited Warranty

uAvionix products are warranted to be free from defects in material and

workmanship for one year from purchase. For the duration of the warranty

period, uAvionix, at its sole option, will repair or replace any product which

fails under normal use. Such repairs or replacement will be made at no

charge to the customer for parts or labor, provided that the customer shall

be responsible for any transportation cost.

This warranty does not apply to cosmetic damage, consumable parts,

damage caused by accident, abuse, misuse, water, fire or flood, damage

caused by unauthorized servicing, or product that has been modified or

altered.

IN NO EVENT, SHALL UAVIONIX BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL,

SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER

RESULTING FROM THE USE, MISUSE OR INABILITY TO USE THE

PRODUCT OR FROM DEFECTS IN THE PRODUCT. SOME STATES DO

NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL

DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

Warranty Service

Warranty repair service shall be provided directly by uAvionix.

UAV-1003064-001 Rev N  Page 5 | 40 
 
Contents 
Revision History  3 
Limited Warranty  4 
Contents  5 
Introduction  7 
Specification  8 
1 microLink Radio Technology  8 
2 Regulatory Statements  9 
2.1 FCC Statement  9 
2.2 Industry Canada Statement  9 
3 Ground Radio System (GRS) – skyStation  10 
4 Airborne Radio System (ARS) 11 
5 Typical System Configuration  12 
6 Mechanical Specifications  13 
Configuration  15 
1 MicroLink  15 
1.1 Wiring  15 
1.2 Mission Planner Configuration  16 
2 skyStation  18 
3 Connection to the POE Network  19 
4 skyStation Start-up and Connection  20 
4.1 Run skyLinkApp.exe  20 
4.2 Configure Hop Table  21 
4.3 Verify Link  22 
4.4 Connecting to Mission Planner  22 
5 skyLinkApp  25 
5.1 Status Tab  26 
5.2 Maps Tab  28 

UAV-1003064-001 Rev N Page 6 | 40

6.5.3 Configuration Tab 29

6.6 skyStation Configuration and Health Webpage 32

6.6.1 Firmware Information 34

6.6.2 Configuration Items 34

6.6.3 Status 35

6.6.4 Network Configuration 36

6.6.5 skyStation Update 37

6.6.6 microLink Update 39

UAV-1003064-001 Rev N Page 7 | 40

4 Introduction

microLink is an aviation grade, miniature, Beyond Visual Line Of Sight

(BVLOS) data link radio specifically designed for long range, robust,

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) telemetry data links. Ideal for size,

weight, power and performance sensitive applications, microLink operates

in the 902-928MHz license-free ISM band.

UAV-1003064-001 Rev N Page 8 | 40

5 Specification

5.1 microLink Radio Technology

● Dual radio architecture for true diversity

o Path (spatial) diversity

o Frequency diversity

o Polarization gain

● Dynamic Medium and Multiple access, time and position

synchronized, to support 100s of simultaneous links

o Adaptive time and frequency spreading

● Global Positioning System (GPS) Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)

link synchronization

● Status, integrity and health monitoring

● Environmental RTCA/DO-160G

● Software RTCA/DO-178C Level C

● Complex Hardware RTCA/DO-254 Level C

● FCC 47 CFR Part 15.247 ID 2AFFTC2XISM

Radio Specifications

Band

902-928MHz ISM Band

Architecture

Dual Diversity Radios

Transmit Power

1W (4W EIRP)

Spreading

Code and Frequency

Bandwidth

200kHz

Receiver Sensitivity

User Receiver

-118dBm

Control Receiver

-121dBm

Doppler Capture Range

±16kHz

UAV-1003064-001 Rev N Page 9 | 40

5.2 Regulatory Statements

5.2.1 FCC Statement

FCC ID: 2AFFTC2XISM

This device meets the FCC requirements for RF exposure in public or

uncontrolled environments.

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party

responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate

the equipment

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is

subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause

harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference

received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

5.2.2 Industry Canada Statement

IC ID: 25261-C2XISM

In order to comply with FCC / ISED RF Exposure requirements, this

device must be installed to provide at least 20 cm separation from the

human body at all times.

Afin de se conformer aux exigences d’exposition RF FCC / ISED, cet

appareil doit être installé pour fournir au moins 20 cm de séparation

du corps humain en tout temps.

This device complies with Industry Canada’s licence-exempt RSSs.

Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

(1) This device may not cause interference; and

(2) This device must accept any interference, including interference

that may cause undesired operation of the device.

Le présent appareil est conforme aux CNR d’Industrie Canada

applicables aux appareils radio exempts de licence. L’exploitation est

autorisée aux deux conditions suivantes :

1) l’appareil ne doit pas produire de brouillage;

2) l’appareil doit accepter tout brouillage radioélectrique subi, même

si le brouillage est susceptible d’en compromettre le fonctionnement.”

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5.3 Ground Radio System (GRS) – skyStation

● All-Weather Network-Ready microLink GRS

● TCP and UDP Power Over Ethernet (POE) connectivity.

● IP67 grade enclosure.

● Dual Dipole Antennas

● Pole Mounting Kit

Specification

Value

Input Power

POE

13W Peak

Size

122x82x60mm

Weight

500 grams

Operating Temp

-45 to 70°C

Interfaces

User

Protocol

TCP

Control

Protocol

TCP

Timing/Position

Position

Internal

Environmental

DO-160G

Temperature Cat B2

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5.4 Airborne Radio System (ARS)

● Transparent serial user data

interface

● Plug and play with Ardupilot

PixHawk autopilot

● Dual MMCX antenna

connectors

● Supports NMEA/UBX GPS

Sensors such as HERE2

and microFYX

USER Interface (top connector)

Timing/Position, CTRL Interface

(bottom connector)

Pi

n

Typ

e

Physica

l

Port

1

5V

2

RXD

IN

TELE

M

3

TXD

OUT

TELE

M

4

RFU

5

RFU

6

GND

Pi

n

Typ

e

Physica

l

Port

1

5V

2

RXD

IN

GPS

3

UTC

IN

1PPS

4

RXD

IN

Contro

l

5

TXD

OUT

Contro

l

6

GND

The USER interface is the data connection to the auto pilot. The Control

interface is for changing settings like frequency hop tables, serial port

parameters, etc.

UAV-1003064-001 Rev N Page 12 | 40

5.5 Typical System Configuration

Ordering Part Numbers

skyStation 2

UAV-1005539-001

microLink

UAV-1002868-001

GPS Options

microFYX kit

UAV-1002500-001

HERE2 kit

UAV-1002956-001

Replacement Parts

MMCX 100mm

UAV-1003063-001

MMCX 200mm

UAV-1003063-002

GH 6p Cable

UAV-1003061001

GH 8p Cable

UAV-1003062-001

UAV-1003064-001 Rev N Page 13 | 40

5.6 Mechanical Specifications

Airborne Radio System (ARS)

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Ground Radio System (GRS) – skyStation

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6 Configuration

6.1 MicroLink

Connect the microLink ARS to an available telemetry point on the Pixhawk

Autopilot. The microFYX provides GPS and PPS to both the microLink and

the Pixhawk through the GPS 2 port (serial 4).

6.1.1 Wiring

USER

CTRL

1 VCC_5V

2 USER_RX (I)

3 USER_TX (O)

4

5

6 GND

MICROLINK USER

1 VCC_5V

2 GPS_RX (I)

3 PPS_RX (I)

4

5

6 GND

MICROLINK CTRL

1 VCC_5V

2 MCU_TX (O)

3 MCU_RX (I)

4

5

6 GND

PIXHAWK TELEM

1 VCC_5V

2

3 GPX_TX (I)

4

5

6 GND

PIXHAWK GPS

RD VCC_5V

BK GND

GY GPX_TX (O)

GR PPS_TX (O)

UAV-1003064-001 Rev N Page 16 | 40

6.1.2 Mission Planner Configuration

The following parameters need to be configured in Mission Planner when

using microLink. The serial port depends on which telemetry port the

microLink is connected to. For this instance, microLink is connected to

Telem1

Function

Parameter

Value

Description

microLink

C2 Control

SERIAL 1::BAUD

57

Baud rate = 57600

SERIAL 1::PROTOCOL

1

Protocol type Mavlink

The following parameters need to be configured in mission planner when

using the microFYX as the primary GPS on GPS 2 (serial 4)

Function

Parameter

Value

Description

GPS

GPS_AUTO_CONFIG

2 *

Enable GPS Auto Config

GPS_SAVE_CONFIG

2*

Enable GPS Save Config

GPS_TYPE

5

GPS = NMEA

SERIAL4_BAUD

115

Baud Rate = 115200

SERIAL4_PROTOCOL

5

Serial 4 = GPS

BRD_SAFETYENABLE

SERIAL3_BAUD

SERIAL3_PROTOCOL

0

57

1

Disable Safety Switch

Baud Rate = 57600

MAVLINK 1

UAV-1003064-001 Rev N Page 17 | 40

The following parameters need to be configured in Mission Planner when

using the microFYX and Here2 GPS in a dual GPS configuration.

microFYX is on GPS 2 (serial 4) and the Here2 GPS is on GPS 1 (serial 3).

Function

Parameter

Value

Description

GPS

GPS_AUTO_CONFIG

2 *

Enable GPS Auto Config

GPS_SAVE_CONFIG

2*

Enable GPS Save Config

GPS_TYPE

1

GPS = AUTO (Here 2)

GPS_TYPE2

5

GPS = NMEA (microFYX)

SERIAL3_BAUD

38

Baud = 38400 (Here 2)

SERIAL3_PROTOCOL

5

Serial 3 = GPS (Here 2)

SERIAL4_BAUD

115

Baud Rate = 115200

(microFYX)

SERIAL4_PROTOCOL

5

Serial 4 = GPS (microFYX)

BRD_SAFETYENABLE

0

Disable Safety Switch

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6.2 skyStation

Connect skyStation to a POE switch or POE power injector.

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6.3 Connection to the POE Network

The skyStation connects to a network via POE using an M12 X-Coded

connector.

POE Specifications:

Parameter

Value

Standard

803.3af (802.3at Type1)

Maximum power

15.4W

Voltage Range

37 – 57V

Maximum Current

350mA

Maximum Cable Resistance

20Ω

Supported Cabling

Shielded Cat 3 and Shielded Cat 5

Supported Modes

Mode A (endspan), Mode B (midspan)

Power Management

Power Class 0

Maximum Cable Length

100 meters

Caution!

Absolute maximum DC voltage +57 V. A higher DC voltage value will

permanently damage the equipment!

!

UAV-1003064-001 Rev N Page 20 | 40

6.4 skyStation Start-up and Connection

Connect the skyStation to a POE capable network switch. At power-up an

IP address will be assigned to the skyStation by the local DHCP server.

By default, the skyStation will accept TCP connections for User channel

information on TCP port 42430 and the Control channel information on

port 42431. An IP Scan can be used to find the IP address of the

skyStation. MAC addresses are printed on the skyStation label.

See section 6.6.4 for configuring the network settings on skyStation.

6.4.1 Run skyLinkApp.exe

Included in your document and software package is SkyLinkApp. Run the

skyLinkApp.exe, configure the Mode Settings to TCP, enter the IP address

of the skyStation, and enter the default Control port 42431. The Status

box in the upper left-hand corner will turn green indicating a successful

connection to the skyStation.

NOTE: If you are not able to connect to the skyStation it is likely your

firewall is blocking access on port 42431. Please setup your firewall to

allow skyLinkApp.exe TCP access on port 42431.

Please see section 6.6.4 to change or view the network configuration

settings on the skyStation. See section 6.4 for more details on the

skyLinkApp.

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